Right now, there is no unit within Baltimore County government with broad powers to 
investigate waste, fraud, and abuse. The County Auditor, who works for the County Council, functions as a legislative research office and can only make requests for information from the Board of Education and the executive branch of government. There is also no easily-identified hotline for constituents or employees to report issues.
I support the creation of a Baltimore County Inspector General to address these concerns, and believe the charter review process provides an opportunity to address this timely topic.
In 2016, Baltimore County voters endorsed – by more than 80 percent – a process every ten years to review the charter, which forms the constitutional framework for county government. The Baltimore County Council is currently reviewing the recommendations of the charter review commission. A proposal to create a Baltimore County Inspector General could be placed on the November ballot. I was proud to sponsor the legislation that led to the charter review process.
When I worked in the federal government, I saw firsthand the importance of having an Inspector General in each department. I want the County Council to look at doing this locally. There is broad support, I believe, for an Inspector General who can receive anonymous complaints from constituents and investigate fraud and abuse.